#72 The Weekly Driver Podcast: David Ankin/ToyMakerz

More than 40 years ago, Top Gear debuted as a monthly, 30-minute magazine-style, automotive-related program on the British Broadcasting Corporation. It was based in Birmingham, England, and the initial episode’s topics included speed traps, fuel economy and strange road signs. A year later, the program expanded to a weekly format and it was broadcast for nearly a quarter century. Simultaneously, much has changed and not much has changed in automotive programming. Enthusiasts are still as passionate about cars and truck and driving. Speed, fuel usage and bizarre things on the road are all still topics for automotive reality television programs.

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#2, The Weekly Driver Podcast video: how states’ driving rates

As a personal finance website, WalletHub covers a lot of territory, all revolving around consumer assistance. It features practical advice about automobiles to credit cards and insurance to real estate agents. It’s all about numbers, statistics and analysis. In the automotive field, WalletHub has a series of studies, the most recent on the 2019 Best & Worst Cities to Drive in. The numbers are revealing. WalletHub.com reports California is among the worst states to driven in. The website determined congestion costs the average driver in the United States more than $1,400 per year. The U.S. is ranked 10th in the

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#71 WalletHub’s best, worst cities, states to drive in

WalletHub.com does studies, and it does them well. It makes sense because it’s a personal finance website that relies on facts and figures and number crunching for consumers. In the automotive field, WalletHub has a series of studies, the most recent on the 2019 Best & Worst Cities to Drive in. The numbers are revealing. WalletHub determined that congestion costs the average driver in the United States more than $1,400 per year. The U.S. is ranked 10th in the world in road quality in the recently released study. The Weekly Driver Podcast is produced in Sacramento, so co-hosts Bruce Aldrich

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2019 Infiniti QX80 classy, rugged, versatile SUV

Now in its mid-teens, the Infiniti QX80 is a large luxury sport utility vehicle with three rows of seating and a dual personality. It has many creature comforts and plenty of driving nimbleness for a heavyweight people mover. But it also has ruggedness to spare. Formerly called the QX56, a reference to its 5.6-liter engine, the QX80 designation on recent years’ models corresponds to nothing more than a new name. By whatever name, the monster SUV holds the unique distinction for the upscale division of Nissan. It was the first Infiniti, which debuted in 1989, built in the United States.

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Winnebago Launches New Wheelchair-Friendly RV Collection

Winnebago has launched three accessibility-enhanced motorhomes, the Intent 30R AE, Adventurer 30T AE, and Forza 34T AE, to assist travelers with limited mobility. The new wheelchair-friendly models are available in three standardized floor plans that include the most commonly requested options. The new models debuted at the 2019 Florida RV Supershow in mid-January. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2012 report, there are around 3.6 million people over the age of 15 who use a wheelchair, with an additional 11.6 million people using a cane, crutches or walker to get around. To serve these large markets, Winnebago offers customers a

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#1 The Weekly Driver Podcast Video: Author John Lamm

Few journalists in the automotive industry have as much expertise as John Lamm. The long-time writer and photographer has interviewed and photographed many of the icons in the business. Lamm has worked for all of the major car magazines, and he’s the author of several books, including the recently released, Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars Of All Time. Sub-titled “The one-stop guide to world-class supercar and their battle for ultimate performance and supremacy,” Lamm’s coffee-table-sized volume is essential for anyone who admires, dreams of, or owns a supercar of their own. The veteran journalist is our guest on the debut

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#70, Journalist, photographer John Lamm’s new supercar book

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:41 — 43.5MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreJohn Lamm is a journalist and photographer who has worked for decades for many of the automotive industry’s most prestigious magazines. He’s also the author of several books, including the new release, Supercar Revolution: The Fastest Cars Of All Time. Sub-titled “The one-stop guide to world-class supercar and their battle for ultimate performance and supremacy,” Lamm’s coffee-table-sized volume is essential for anyone who admires, dreams of, or owns a supercar of their own. The veteran journalist is our guest on episode #70 of The

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2019 Cadillac XT4 shines as best new compact SUV

Cadillac has diligently worked for many years to dismantle its reputation as a brand for older drivers. It didn’t help when its massive sedans were often status symbols rewarded as a bonus for successful salespeople in the cosmetic industry. Likewise, big, expensive and luxurious were once equated with better. But it’s no longer the manufacturer’s focus and nor is it true. The 2019 Cadillac XT4 is the smallest SUV in the carmaker’s lineup. It’s another attempt to appeal to a younger audience whose only experience with Cadillac may have been their grandparents’ wheels. As a compact SUV, the XT4 joins

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#69 Ford Edge ST debuts as carmaker’s performance SUV

Tyler Swedensky is the new car manager at Future Ford in Sacramento, California, and he’s good at what he does. With co-host Bruce Aldrich driving and me observing as a back- seat passenger, Swedensky recently took us for a test drive and preview of the 2019 Ford Edge ST. Ford is marketing the new vehicle as its first performance SUV, and Swedensky is our guest on this week’s episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast. After our ride, Bruce and I asked our guest about the Edge ST from the offices of the Sacramento dealership. He explained the SUV’s innovative Co-Pilot

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Save money with do-it-yourself used car parts

SPONSORED CONTENT When considering purchasing a vehicle for yourself or for a friend or family member, the flawless condition of its safety features is most important. Driving in winter conditions, snow to icy roads to rain, places further safety at the forefront. And to prepare for any driving in any conditions, what’s the best way to ensure your vehicle is safe? Would prefer to go to a service station and spend more? Or why not consider saving lots of money and do the repairs yourself? All you need for this approach is the ideal online shop where you will find

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#68, Driven to Drive, 2018 podcast year in review

Max Mack has owned his share of vehicles. Like other car enthusiasts, he appreciates fast cars and automobile history, and he likes to associate with like-minded individuals. It’s why the Sacramento businessman began Driven to Drive. Mack organizes social meet-ups among car enthusiasts and businesses around Northern California — wineries to urban locales. It a great way to mix and share automobiles stories and with support from regional businesses. Mack is our guest on episode #68 of The Weekly Driver Podcast. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia talk with Mack about his new business, his long-time interest in cars, membership

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HERE, Amazon announce navigation collaboration

HERE Technologies has announced a new collaboration with Amazon. The companies will integrate Amazon Alexa and HERE navigation and location services. The combination of the voice-first interactions through Alexa with a leading in-car navigation solution makes it easy for automakers to deliver an intuitive, voice-first experience for users inside and outside the car.

Alexa will come pre-integrated within HERE Navigation On-Demand, the new one-stop solution for automakers to enable compelling, full-featured and always-fresh navigation experiences in their vehicles. Leveraging the Alexa Auto tools and APIs, HERE has built a voice-first car navigation experience that keeps users focused on the road while

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67, 2018 automotive world recap, cars of the year

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:26 — 51.4MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreWith the end of one year and the beginning of another, it’s always a good time to look back at what happened in the automotive world in the past 12 months and pick cars of the year. It was an ideal time to be part of an industry in 2018. Alternative fuels, ride-sharing platforms, alternative fuel, and the increasing interest in vintage cars and trucks. It was a whirlwind year. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia recap the year in Episode #67 of The

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2019 GMC Sierra gets big, bold makeover

The GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado have been about as close in recent years as two full-size pickups can be as different brands. But for 2019, the GMC Sierra has a new identity that differentiates the near-twins while still maintaining family ties. As the start of the fourth generation for the now 21-year-old truck, the GMC Sierra 1500 is available in six trims, including the top-line Denali. Multiple beds and cab configurations and four-wheel drive are offered on all trims. The Denali moniker began 20 years for the upscale models of many of manufacturer’s vehicles. It’s derived from the native

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VW Beetle to Chevy Volt to Ford Focus: goodbye, farewell

The end of the year in the automotive world always marks the end of the run for a car or two and sometimes more vehicles. The end of 2018 was among the most drastic farewells to vehicles in recent years. Manufacturers announced their departures from the car-making business to focus on sport utility vehicles and trucks. Vehicles with long histories and some that barely had time to build a sustained buying base will soon be defunct. In all, the production of at least 14 cars has stopped or will soon cease. The most significant departure from the new car landscape

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#66, On demand insurance, year-end car deals

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:59 — 52.2MB)Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | MoreWelcome to another episode of The Weekly Driver Podcast, our last broadcast in 2018 and our 66th episode. Co-hosts Bruce Aldrich and James Raia interview Ian Sweeney and Julie Blackley. Sweeney is General Manager of Trov Mobility based in Danville, California. He explains the company’s motto: “Insurance billed by second, day, mile, event. . . . whatever you need.” The on-demand insurance company found that 56 percent of 2,000 respondents in a recent survey believe it’s more economical to use shared transportation than own

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